The Count Emery Hutten-Czapski Collection | Poland, Wladyslaw IV Vasa (Ladislaus IV) (1632-1648), AR Marriage Medal, 1637, Danzig [Gdansk], Wedding of the King to Cecylia Renata (née Habsburg), by Johann Höhn (the Elder), VLADISLAO IV POLONIÆ ET SVECIÆ REGI HERCULI PACIFICO, Wladyslaw IV as Hercules, taming a three-headed Cerberus, coat-of-arms and CIVIT - GEDAN | F - F in exergue, rev. REGALE AQUILAE PROGENERANT AQUILAM MDCXXXVIIM, two crowned eagles, Polish with the Vasa shield on chest and imperial double-headed with the coat of arms of the Habsburgs, 32.05g, 12h (Raczynski 117; Hutten-Czapski 1777 [R3]; Marienburg 8687; Voßberg 816), the usual die flaw through POLONIAE and minor bruising to rim, otherwise a beautiful early striking lightly cabinet toned with underlying brilliance, a really good very fine, extremely rare and wanting from most discerning cabinets Provenance Sold by Direct Descent from The Count Emery Hutten Czapski Collection This medal was presented to the King and close dignitaries on the occasion of his marriage to Cecylia Renata née Habsburg. Two versions of the medal with the image of Hercules are known. The present example is the first, depicting the Polish and Austrian eagles. The second version of the medal from 1637 does not refer to a wedding, but is a political tribute to the king by the Gdansk City Council. The wedding, and by extension this medal became a symbolic tribute to Wladyslaws rule, not only as a warrior King, but also as a peace-bringer who brought prosperity to the Kingdom. The personification of Wladyslaw IV as Hercules fighting Cerberus is not only a direct allusion to the twelve labours, but also an allegory for Polands traditional enemies: Moscow, Turkey and Sweden.
